American Bulldogs

[plgrn]

Anyone have one? Have you at least heard of the breed?

Everyone thinks our 2-year old is a Boxer, and I get tired of correcting them. Most people have never heard of the breed, however I noticed today that Petsmart's doggy day-care won't accept them! No mention of Boxers, English bulldogs, Mastiffs, etc. But no American Bulldogs allowed. Odd....I don't like thinking of my big sweet "baby" as a bully breed, but I guess he is considered that.

 

[4chitlins]

I think alot of people think American Bulldog is just another word for Pitbull.At least that's what a friend of mine told me. She had one and it looked like a boxer to me.

 

[plgrn]

Really? They are a mix between an English Bulldog and a Bull Mastiff. No pit in there anywhere, but that would explain the apprehension.

 

[dbal]

Isn't that the same dog as Chance from Homeward Bound? If so, I've always been curious about them. They are sooo cute.
Did Petsmart give you a reason why they don't accept the breed?

What are their temperments like? I've only come across a few, and they seemed very sweet.

 

[disneymama73]

I have one, too! Everyone thinks she's a pitbull, and I'm constantly telling them, no, she's an American Bulldog!

Here's a little something I found about the breed:

Early Bulldogs were used in the bloody sport of bull bating. Some of these dogs emigrated with their masters from England to America. Eventually the English Bulldog was bred down in size and his personality was softened, but the American version remained a larger, fiercer dog. The American version has longer legs and more speed and agility than the English show dog. Thanks to the efforts of John D. Johnson of Summerville, Georgia the American Bulldog exists today. After he returned from WW II he was disappointed to find that, like the English Mastiff, they were almost completely extinct. He then decided to gather the best he could find from all across the rural south and bring them back from the brink of extinction. He has been breeding these dogs longer than anyone else in the world and his father bred them before him. He is an old man now (in his 80's) and these dogs have always existed in his family. He is the sole reason why they exist today. If it were not for his efforts they surely would be gone. He has been breeding them non-stop since then. The American Bulldog has also been used as a guard and in hunting bear, wild boar, squirrel and raccoon. They have even been trained to drive cattle and guard stock from predators. Farmers prize these dogs for their stamina, protectiveness, intelligence and working abilities. Some of the American Bulldogs talents are hunting, watchdogging, tracking, weight pulling, and guarding.

 

[disneymama73]

Isn't that the same dog as Chance from Homeward Bound? If so, I've always been curious about them. They are sooo cute.
Did Petsmart give you a reason why they don't accept the breed?

What are their temperments like? I've only come across a few, and they seemed very sweet.

Yes, same dog as Chance! They are very sweet dogs although some can be aggressive.

 

[mamajoan]

I really like American Bulldogs! I think of them as THE CLASSIC DOG!

 

[plgrn]

What are their temperments like? I've only come across a few, and they seemed very sweet.

I've only been around mind and my aunt and uncle's. Both are very sweet. Casey was abused and neglected before we got him, and he's still the sweetest thing! No problems at all.

 

[gris gris]

We don't have an American Bulldog but I have 5 different breeders bookmarked because when our dog passes away, we're pretty sure we're going to get one.

Our dog is a American Staffordshire / Sharpei mix. He's a bully breed dog and I don't mind it one bit. He loves us to pieces, is very gentile with my kids and protects our house out in the woods!

I have always heard that American Bulldogs are good with kids !!!!

How much does yours weigh?

Here's our dog if I did this picture right:

 

[Aimeedyan]

I have friends that boycott PetsMart due to their anti-bully stance. I think it's ridiculous but it's a corporate decision.

I myself don't boycott them for that but I really don't shop there anyways.

I love American Bulldogs! They are not the right fit for our family but i wish they were

 

[disneymama73]

I have always heard that American Bulldogs are good with kids !!!!

How much does yours weigh?

They are wonderful with kids! Lily lets the girls do anything to her. She loves them. : She weighs 96 pounds.

 

[gris gris]

They are wonderful with kids! Lily lets the girls do anything to her. She loves them. : She weighs 96 pounds.

A perfect sized dog!! LOL ours is 90 pounds and sleeps with us. Are American Bulldogs touchy/feely? Our dog has to constantly be touching someone. Like if we're on the couch, part of him touches one of us. Or when we sleep - he sleeps under the covers. I know, I know, non-dog lovers probably won't understand

 

[disneymama73]

A perfect sized dog!! LOL ours is 90 pounds and sleeps with us. Are American Bulldogs touchy/feely? Our dog has to constantly be touching someone. Like if we're on the couch, part of him touches one of us. Or when we sleep - he sleeps under the covers. I know, I know, non-dog lovers probably won't understand

YES! She is very lovey dovey! She doesn't sleep with us though because of my allergies. But if you're on the couch, she is practically on top of you. I always say she thinks she is still a little puppy.

 

[plgrn]

How much does yours weigh?

Here's our dog if I did this picture right:

Casey is rather small. Only 75 pounds, because his mom is pretty small.

Your "puppy" is gorgeous!

 

[4chitlins]

I have a German Shepherd and you wouldn't believe how many people try to avoid us when we walk on the street.She is large but very sweet but alot of people just see the breed and expect the worst

 

[Jynohn]

I have always wanted an American Bulldog after falling in love with Chance in Homeward Bound. But I've always been scared to get one after reading a few things that suggested they weren't great with kids. I'm also concerned about the whole, "mistaking it for a pitbull" thing. I have a Great Dane and people already freak out when they see us walking down the street, I can't imagine how they would react if they thought I had a pitbull

Maybe when the kids get older...

 

[gris gris]

I'm also concerned about the whole, "mistaking it for a pitbull" thing. I have a Great Dane and people already freak out when they see us walking down the street, I can't imagine how they would react if they thought I had a pitbull

My dog is 1/2 pit and when people question why I'd have him around my kids, I take the opportunity to explain what a nice, gentile, loving dog he is. I don't expect them to want to pet him or hang out with him or go get a pit the next day. We've had him since he was 8 weeks old and DH & I know we will always have a bully breed dog.

The only Great Dane I ever met was when I was a kid and she was so tall we could walk under her. I must have been really little - and she seemed really big. How tall is yours? Are they really tall enough that a little kid could walk under her? You know how when you're little everything looks big LOL!

 

[plgrn]

Maybe when the kids get older...

Probably a good idea. Not because of any aggressive behavior, but hyperactivity! Casey thinks he's still a puppy and is ALL OVER US. Cute when he was little, but not so cute at 75 pounds.

 

[Jynohn]

The only Great Dane I ever met was when I was a kid and she was so tall we could walk under her. I must have been really little - and she seemed really big. How tall is yours? Are they really tall enough that a little kid could walk under her? You know how when you're little everything looks big LOL!

Her head comes up to just above my waist. She's tall enough that she could easily eat something from my kitchen counter with all four legs on the ground, but she thankfully knows better than to do that! My six year old can't walk under her, but can, and does, crawl under her

 

[plgrn]

Her head comes up to just above my waist. She's tall enough that she could easily eat something from my kitchen counter with all four legs on the ground, but she thankfully knows better than to do that! My six year old can't walk under her, but can, and does, crawl under her

Must see pics!